Medical Students
Biomedical Engineering
Sites in Education
Cell & Developmental Biology
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Ectopic induction of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and formation of migratory neural crest cells by co-expression of Sox9 (transcription factor) and LIM kinase-1 (actin cytoskeletal regulator). Green = GFP expression marks transfected cells; red = laminin which demarcates the basement membrane across which induced neural crest cells migrate; blue = nuclear stain. |
Our Program features rich and diverse training in modern cell and developmental biology and highlights evolving interests in morphogenesis and regenerative biology.
Ongoing research addresses fundamental issues at the both the cellular level (membrane and cytoskeletal dynamics, signal transduction, mitosis, cell adhesion, motility, mechanotransduction, polarity) and higher-order higher-order processes such as embryonic patterning, morphogenetic movements, tissue morphogenesis and repair. These issues are examined in contexts that include cell culture models, differentiated tissues, patterning embryos, and tissues during development and wound repair.
Studies employing engineered mutant mice, Drosophila, Xenopus, and Zebrafish offer a range of venues for studying fundamental mechanisms, their relationship to morphogenesis and their dysfunction in human diseases.
The program fosters a culture of collaboration that extends beyond any single department. Students commonly participate in institution-wide training programs in cancer biology, cell and molecular biology, biotechnology, and cardiovascular research.
Experience in molecular genetics, bioinformatics, biochemistry/structural biology, molecular biology and state-of-the-art imaging is encouraged, and the collegial learning environment incorporates seminars, journal clubs, colloquia and research-in-progress presentations by students, postdocs and faculty.
It is the goal of the program to train the next generation of leaders in biomedical research, education and related professions.
Faculty
